Happy Songkran and Happy Easter

[ChrisUK]

This time last year, I was a Songkran Virgin and looked forward to the experience of Thailand celebrating its New Year. I was prepared for the inevitable dowsing and the first day, going to the beach, I found it a novel way of starting the festivities, being dowsed with water, pasted with powder and greeted with "Sawatdee Songkran". I was warned by my expat companion that we got off lightly going to the beach at midday. He was right; - the journey back was a different story with water coming from all sides as we sat defenceless in the Baht bus. However, the water attacks do disappear after sundown so normal life can resume at night, the only exception being the last night before the final day, when water continues to fly your way.

I have top confess, it did become a bit tedious, going on for a full week, but the last day is worth making the effort to venture out, dressed for the beach, but strolling/dodging your way along Beach Road in Pattaya with a 500Bt plastic underwater disposable camera at the ready (Water pistol optional). The sites you see and the fun Thai people have has to be seen to be believed as the parade of floats makes its way from the temple in South Pattaya Road, along Second Road and finally down Beach Road. The smiles will soon spread to your face, assuming you don't mind getting wet and plastered yet again.

Now, if only it could all be compressed into just two days of fun and games, but without the anarchy that causes death and injury. Wishing you a Happy Songkran and Happy Easter from the UK.

Chris.


http://upload3.postimage.org/114049/SongkrantrafficonBeachroad_Pky_Paint_Medium_.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/114049/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload3.postimage.org/114060/SongkranTruck_Pky_Pt50_Medium_.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/114060/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload3.postimage.org/114067/OverloadedatSongkran_fixed_Pky_75_.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/114067/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload3.postimage.org/114080/Stoppingthetraffic_Songkranstyle_fixed_40_.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/114080/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload3.postimage.org/114097/SongkranGroup_fixed50qualPky_Medium_.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/114097/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload3.postimage.org/114107/SongkraninPattaya_Fixed_Pky_60_.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/114107/photo_hosting.html)

Pattaya: Songkran:

Day One: Others get soaked - Hilarious ..... I get soaked - Hilarious
Day Two: Others get soaked - Hilarious ..... I get soaked - Laugh out loud Funny
Day Three: Others get soaked - Hilarious ..... I get soaked - Amusing
Day Four: Others get soaked - Hilarious ..... I get soaked - Okay, I've done this to death now
Day Five: Others get soaked - Hilarious ..... I get soaked - Tedious, I turn into that German tourist shaking his fist at the soakers

Oh lord there are still another four days to go!

http://www.thaistudents.com/guidebook/s ... index.html (http://www.thaistudents.com/guidebook/songkran/index.html)

Tedious, I turn into that German tourist shaking his fist at the soakers
I almost grabbed my pepper spray today before I set out to run errands. After 3 days of a self-imposed exile inside my condo, I thought twice and left the spray at home. I went to central Pattaya via Sukumvit, and didn't see a single incident of water splashing. Amazing! I do suspect that had I taken Jomtien Beach Road and down Second Road, it would have been different.

Tedious, I turn into that German tourist shaking his fist at the soakers
I almost grabbed my pepper spray today before I set out to run errands. After 3 days of a self-imposed exile inside my condo, I thought twice and left the spray at home. I went to central Pattaya via Sukumvit, and didn't see a single incident of water splashing. Amazing! I do suspect that had I taken Jomtien Beach Road and down Second Road, it would have been different.

True, central and south Pattaya not so bad, I am based out at Jomtien and the journey into Pattaya and back again is one which guarantees a soaking. I now have a cold and am ready an waiting to sneeze on the next person who swings a bucket in my direction. :cheers:

I am based out at Jomtien and the journey into Pattaya and back again is one which guarantees a soaking.:
I live in Jomtien, too. Any chance you live near Thepprasit, Soi Watboon, or Soi Chaiyapruek, so you can go to town via Sukhumvit? Not a drop of water to be felt when I went to Pattaya Klang Carrefour yesterday.

Speaking of Carrefour: Yesterday I came out the main entrance with a shopping cart overflowing with groceries only to find no taxi queue. The sign with rates is still there, but there were no taxis. Is this because of Songkran, or is it a permanent change? A taxi was waiting at curb side on Pattaya Klang and waved me to come down. Will that be the "new system" or will the old taxi queue right outisde the main entrance be available after the holiday?